Women Owned Businesses & Leaders
Written by Carl Foisy
One of our business fundamentals is to help locally owned businesses thrive. In all cases who we work with matters, and we’re proud to share that we work with very good and respectful people. As we indeed celebrate and support women daily, during Women’s History Month we wanted to acknowledge and show some love for the Women-Owned businesses we work with. Each of these business owners deserves respect, and you’ll see that their title as Owner is just the tip of their professional iceberg. Marketing by the C is indeed honored to partner and work with these remarkable business owners.
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Angelique Stump – Hot Behind You Hospitality Management Group
Fierce, fearless, and takes care of business, Angelique Stump is an owner operator to many Silicon Valley destination restaurants. As a leader who wears several hats, she has a wonderful way about staying true to herself while balancing business matters big and small. Also, Angelique is a ballerina….no wonder why she’s on pointe.
Angelique Stump – Hot Behind You Hospitality Management Group
Fierce, fearless, and takes care of business, Angelique Stump is an owner operator to many Silicon Valley destination restaurants. As a leader who wears several hats, she has a wonderful way about staying true to herself while balancing business matters big and small. Also, Angelique is a ballerina….no wonder why she’s on pointe.
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Jeannie Martin – JLM Insurance
Working for locally owned businesses is our thing, and Jeannie Martin’s well established insurance agency is no different from the others we help and serve. JLM Insurance is a great example of a strong woman owned business, and Jeannie defines strength each day in her ever changing industry. With her passion for helping others, and her love for family (and good life) values, it’s a pleasure helping Jeannie and her business.
Jeannie Martin – JLM Insurance
Working for locally owned businesses is our thing, and Jeannie Martin’s well established insurance agency is no different from the others we help and serve. JLM Insurance is a great example of a strong woman owned business, and Jeannie defines strength each day in her ever changing industry. With her passion for helping others, and her love for family (and good life) values, it’s a pleasure helping Jeannie and her business.
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Erin Salazar – House of Florals & Local Color
Artist, leader, community activator and all around cool human, Erin Salazar stays busy helping others succeed. While she’s the founder and current leader of Silicon Valley’s top non-profit for local artists, Erin is multi talented with her own creativity and artistry. More than just a cool gal, Erin is indeed someone other people (all genders) should look up to for inspiration…..we do.
Erin Salazar – House of Florals & Local Color
Artist, leader, community activator and all around cool human, Erin Salazar stays busy helping others succeed. While she’s the founder and current leader of Silicon Valley’s top non-profit for local artists, Erin is multi talented with her own creativity and artistry. More than just a cool gal, Erin is indeed someone other people (all genders) should look up to for inspiration…..we do.
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Hway-Ling Hsu – Sweetdragon Baking Company
The combination of her genuineness, the way she shares goodness, and her love for overalls, Hway-Ling is one-of-a-kind. Not only does she bake delicious sweets, her attitude for life (and the world around her) is also very sweet. If you get a chance to meet her, you’ll understand why we appreciate and love Hway-Ling’s energy.
Hway-Ling Hsu – Sweetdragon Baking Company
The combination of her genuineness, the way she shares goodness, and her love for overalls, Hway-Ling is one-of-a-kind. Not only does she bake delicious sweets, her attitude for life (and the world around her) is also very sweet. If you get a chance to meet her, you’ll understand why we appreciate and love Hway-Ling’s energy.
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Melissa Melo – December Stitches
If loving what you do helps measure levels of success, Mellissa Melo of December Stitches is very successful. She has carved her path to career freedom by starting some very cool businesses in extremely tight niches. Her current endeavor (along with her sister) is in the cross stitching field, while she also runs a boutique hand-folded paper flower company. Determined to create and share goodness, it’s an honor to assist such a great lady (ladies) with her companies.
Melissa Melo – December Stitches
If loving what you do helps measure levels of success, Mellissa Melo of December Stitches is very successful. She has carved her path to career freedom by starting some very cool businesses in extremely tight niches. Her current endeavor (along with her sister) is in the cross stitching field, while she also runs a boutique hand-folded paper flower company. Determined to create and share goodness, it’s an honor to assist such a great lady (ladies) with her companies.
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Janan Stump – Shepherd & Sims
Cut from the same cloth as her father (Chef Jim Stump) Janan Stump is one-of-a-kind. Her mindset for efficiency, organization, forward thinking and leadership indeed sets her apart from many others in her position. In the hospitality business, folks must have thick skin, and Janan (being raised in the industry) makes it look easy. If they had a Who’s Who of Hospitality plaque, or Top Industry Women award, Janan would have a few on her wall.
Janan Stump – Shepherd & Sims
Cut from the same cloth as her father (Chef Jim Stump) Janan Stump is one-of-a-kind. Her mindset for efficiency, organization, forward thinking and leadership indeed sets her apart from many others in her position. In the hospitality business, folks must have thick skin, and Janan (being raised in the industry) makes it look easy. If they had a Who’s Who of Hospitality plaque, or Top Industry Women award, Janan would have a few on her wall.
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Kemberlee Solorzano – SoSA & Marketing by the C
While MbtC continues to grow year over year, we are doing so in the most sustainable way we can, and Kemberlee has been a big part of it. Joining the team in 2024 with an open mind, Kemberlee has become a professional with social media, and sharology techniques for businesses and organizations. Kemberlee’s ability to adapt to new things, and continue learning is a very powerful thing, but it’s her tenacity and consistency that continues to prove her greatness.
While MbtC continues to grow year over year, we are doing so in the most sustainable way we can, and Kemberlee has been a big part of it. Joining the team in 2024 with an open mind, Kemberlee has become a professional with social media, and sharology techniques for businesses and organizations. Kemberlee’s ability to adapt to new things, and continue learning is a very powerful thing, but it’s her tenacity and consistency that continues to prove her greatness.
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Julie Orr – Pergolas by Julie
With loads of energy and a local vibe to match, Julie Orr, founder of Pergolas by Julie and Julie Orr Landscape Design, found her way to MbtC via referral from another stellar woman. Julie has a very clear vision on what she wants and it’s an honor to help her achieve these goals. Plus, the pergolas are hella cool.
Julie Orr – Pergolas by Julie
With loads of energy and a local vibe to match, Julie Orr, founder of Pergolas by Julie and Julie Orr Landscape Design, found her way to MbtC via referral from another stellar woman. Julie has a very clear vision on what she wants and it’s an honor to help her achieve these goals. Plus, the pergolas are hella cool.
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Annetta Simpson – Back A Yard – Coconuts – Cliffords
Understanding, considerate, caring and very professional, Annetta Simpson (and her family) own a few successful restaurant brands that focus on Caribbean and Soul Food. Working with Annetta is easy because no matter if we’re talking serious business or laughing for a few moments, her vibes are super chill across the board. We also always appreciate how calculated she is with her time, and how clear she is with her business needs.
Annetta Simpson – Back A Yard – Coconuts – Cliffords
Understanding, considerate, caring and very professional, Annetta Simpson (and her family) own a few successful restaurant brands that focus on Caribbean and Soul Food. Working with Annetta is easy because no matter if we’re talking serious business or laughing for a few moments, her vibes are super chill across the board. We also always appreciate how calculated she is with her time, and how clear she is with her business needs.
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Brooke Mercurio – Kitchen & Bath Design Center & Showroom
Working side-by-side with her father, Brooke is by-far the youngest female in Silicon Valley with the most knowledge in her industry. Owning a businesses that sells thousands of products from hundreds of brands seems daunting, but Brooke handles it like a charm. Flexing and sharing her knowledge for kitchen and bathroom remodeling is what keeps her business’s operation and reputation strong.
Brooke Mercurio – Kitchen & Bath Design Center & Showroom
Working side-by-side with her father, Brooke is by-far the youngest female in Silicon Valley with the most knowledge in her industry. Owning a businesses that sells thousands of products from hundreds of brands seems daunting, but Brooke handles it like a charm. Flexing and sharing her knowledge for kitchen and bathroom remodeling is what keeps her business’s operation and reputation strong.
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Miriam Kali-Rai – Jackson & Main
Highly intelligent, strong, confident, and considerate, are a few words to describe Miriam. Her level of professionalism and coordination helped streamline the development of many important websites over the years. While owning a private firm with her husband in Silicon Valley, Miriam is kind, gentle, and a force to be reckoned with.
Miriam Kali-Rai – Jackson & Main
Highly intelligent, strong, confident, and considerate, are a few words to describe Miriam. Her level of professionalism and coordination helped streamline the development of many important websites over the years. While owning a private firm with her husband in Silicon Valley, Miriam is kind, gentle, and a force to be reckoned with.
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Denice Russell – Special FX Salon
Dedicated and down to earth, Denise is a smart and thoughtful business person whose built and sustained multiple businesses in the South Bay since the 80’s. Her drive to provide a place where hair and beauty lovers can learn, grow and thrive in her industry is unmatched locally, and it’s a pleasure to be exposed to her energy and thoughtfulness.
Denice Russell – Special FX Salon
Dedicated and down to earth, Denise is a smart and thoughtful business person whose built and sustained multiple businesses in the South Bay since the 80’s. Her drive to provide a place where hair and beauty lovers can learn, grow and thrive in her industry is unmatched locally, and it’s a pleasure to be exposed to her energy and thoughtfulness.
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Saras V. – GoodHonest.biz & Others
Excellent ethics, well educated, skilled, respected and talented in her work (and one of the honest few in our industry), Saras is a wonderful person to work with. Similar to Marketing by the C, Saras has been developing websites since 2006, operates a local company that helps businesses, and stands proudly next to her work. It’s a blessing to have organically connected with Saras, and it’s an honor to work with her.
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Michelle Della Penna – Della Penna Foundation
With the tagline ‘Women Driving Change in Motorsports’, Michelle Della Penna is a leader in introducing auto racing to young women. Michelle’s family is racing royalty and her high octane for the sport pushes her foundation forward every lap. Michelle’s leadership drives her team to the finish line for each event and program she starts the engines on. Full throttle passion at its finest.
Michelle Della Penna – Della Penna Foundation
With the tagline ‘Women Driving Change in Motorsports’, Michelle Della Penna is a leader in introducing auto racing to young women. Michelle’s family is racing royalty and her high octane for the sport pushes her foundation forward every lap. Michelle’s leadership drives her team to the finish line for each event and program she starts the engines on. Full throttle passion at its finest.
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Nicole Foisy – Studio 10 Dance
We may be bias on the last one, (and rightfully so being she is Carl’s wife) Nicole Foisy is one of the most thoughtful leaders we’ve had the privilege to be around. Selfless, calculated, thorough, and passionate, her ability to explain what she wants and communicate with her team is superb. Nicole has taken on leadership roles since she was a teen, and it’s a blessing to be a part of it all. Nicole is a rockstar.
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It’s true that Marketing by the C supports women owned businesses, but we also want to point out that we love all good business owners equally no matter gender or background. #OneLove
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Originally Published March 2024, and Updated March 2025 with more 🙂
Nicole Foisy – Studio 10 Dance
We may be bias on the last one, (and rightfully so being she is Carl’s wife) Nicole Foisy is one of the most thoughtful leaders we’ve had the privilege to be around. Selfless, calculated, thorough, and passionate, her ability to explain what she wants and communicate with her team is superb. Nicole has taken on leadership roles since she was a teen, and it’s a blessing to be a part of it all. Nicole is a rockstar.
–
It’s true that Marketing by the C supports women owned businesses, but we also want to point out that we love all good business owners equally no matter gender or background. #OneLove
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Originally Published March 2024, and Updated March 2025 with more 🙂
